Chemical and biological characterization of slaughterhouse wastes compost

The chemical and biological properties of compost made from yard trimmings (YT) composted alone or mixed with slaughterhouse wastes (SHW) were evaluated in seven phases. Mixtures were weighed in a 2:1 proportion (YT:SHW) and placed in composting bins (0.91 m2). Temperature was recorded to determine the time (d) needed to reach the first (1HC) and second heat cycles (2HC). Composting characteristics were measured at 0 d, at the peak of the 1HC and 2HC, and at maturation (0, 20, 50 and 70 d). During 1HC, bacterial isolates were cultivated in both treatments and identified using the Biolog System. Chemical composition was statistically analyzed using a 2 (layers of SHW)x7 (composting phases) factorial arrangement of treatments with the ANOVA procedure of SAS. The pH was neutral for YT and ranged from 7.41 to 6.82 for SHW throughout the process. There was a decrease in organic matter (OM) and carbon (C), and a relative increase in nitrogen (N) in both treatments. At 70 d of maturation, C:N values were similar between treatments, but lower (P>0.05) than the initial values. Final N concentration was higher (P>0.05) for the treatment with SHW. Only the SHW treatment exhibited thermophilic temperatures. At the 1HC in both treatments, different populations of bacteria responsible for the breakdown of OM were identified showing an active heterogeneous population. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms was not detected in treatments containing SHW.     

University ranking using research,educational and environmental indicators

This paper introduces a model, which is enabling a comparison between universities regarding research, educational and environmental performances; the mission of university fits the sustainability idea. The purpose of the paper is to improve the methodology and indicators of the existing ranking tables. The three dimensional index, which provides simplified information about the quality of universities, has been developed. It enables quick detection of the weaknesses, strengths and opportunities for universities. Weights of indicators were determined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Results of the AHP have shown that the most important are research oriented indicators, followed by social and environmental ones.The proposed model has been tested on a sample of 35 top universities from the ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) and Times ranking tables and a new ranking table – the Three dimensional University Ranking (TUR) has been developed. In addition, correlations between indicators and ranking tables have been carried out. There is only a medium correlation between the ARWU and TUR. Regarding the indicators, a high correlation with Hirsch indices and Highly Cited Researchers exists, while there is an insignificant correlation between the low student to staff ratio and the graduation rate.     

Lower back pain and its association with whole-body vibration and manual materials handling among commercial drivers in Sabah

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) and its association with whole-body vibration (WBV) and manual materials handling (MMH). We studied 110 commercial vehicle drivers using a self-administered questionnaire and the VI-400Pro human vibration monitor. Prevalence of LBP was 66.4%. The percentage of drivers who had frequent manual handling of heavy loads was 45.5% and those who handled heavy loads in awkward postures accounted for 86.4%. Daily vibration A(8) averaged on the z axis was 0.25 (0.06) m·s^?2 and at vector sum was 0.29 (0.07) m·s^?2. Daily vibration exposures on the z axis, frequent manual handling of heavy loads and awkward posture during MMH were significantly associated with LBP. Drivers who are exposed to WBV and frequently handle heavy loads manually and with awkward postures probably have more LBP than drivers who are exposed to only one of these risk factors.     

Synthesis of zinc-carboxylate metal-organic frameworks for the removal of emerging drug contaminant (amodiaquine) from aqueous solution

We herein report the removal of amodiaquine, an emerging drug contaminant from aqueous solution using [Zn2(fum)2(bpy)] and [Zn4 O(bdc)3](fum = fumaric acid; bpy =4,4-bipyridine; bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate) metal–organic frameworks(MOFs) as adsorbents. The adsorbents were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD). Adsorption process for both adsorbents were found to follow the pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the adsorption equilibrium data fitted best into the Freundlich isotherm with the R~2 values of 0.973 and0.993 obtained for [Zn_2(fum)_2(bpy)] and [Zn_4 O(bdc)_3] respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities foramodiaquine in this study were found to be 0.478 and 47.62 mg/g on the[Zn_2(fum)_2(bpy)] and [Zn_4 O(bdc)_3] MOFs respectively, and were obtained at p H of 4.3 for both adsorbents. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis of the MOFs after the adsorption process showed the presence of the drug. The results of the study showed that the prepared MOFs could be used for the removal of amodiaquine from wastewater.     

Review of sustainability terms and their definitions

Terminology in the field of sustainable development is becoming increasingly important because the number of terms continues to increase along with the rapid increase in awareness of the importance of sustainability. Various definitions of terms are used by different authors and organizations, for example, green chemistry, cleaner production, pollution prevention, etc. The importance of this topic has stimulated research into the problems of clarifying ambiguity and classifying terms used in the sustainability field. This paper provides results of the literature survey and summarizes the definitions of the terms, focusing on the environmental engineering field. In some cases, it proposes an improved definition. A hierarchical classification of the terms and their relationships has been based on a layer format that is presented graphically.     

Towards greening a university campus: The case of the University of Maribor, Slovenia

The environmental performance of the University of Maribor (Engineering Campus) has been assessed on a life cycle basis. The following activities have been considered in the study: the use and operation of lecture theatres (construction and maintenance, heating, lighting and water consumption) and day-to-day consumption of sundries (paper and plastic bottles). The results indicate that the heating and construction of buildings are the ‘hot spots’ in the system, for most environmental impacts. Different waste management options for the plastic and paper, including recycling, incineration and landfill, have also been compared for environmental impacts and economic costs. The option combining 70% recycling, 29% incineration and 1% landfill has been found to be most economically and environmentally sustainable.     

Key indicator tools for shallow slope failure assessment using soil chemical property signatures and soil colour variables

Slope failure has become a major concern in Malaysia due to the rapid development and urbanisation in the country. It poses severe threats to any highway construction industry, residential areas, natural resources and tourism activities. The extent of damages that resulted from this catastrophe can be lessened if a long-term early warning system to predict landslide prone areas is implemented. Thus, this study aims to characterise the relationship between Oxisols properties and soil colour variables to be manipulated as key indicators to forecast shallow slope failure. The concentration of each soil property in slope soil was evaluated from two different localities that consist of 120 soil samples from stable and unstable slopes located along the North-South Highway (PLUS) and East-West Highway (LPT). Analysis of variance established highly significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the locations, the total organic carbon (TOC), soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil texture, soil chromaticity and all combinations of interactions. The overall CIELAB analysis leads to the conclusion that the CIELAB variables lightness L*, c* (Chroma) and h* (Hue) provide the most information about soil colour and other related soil properties. With regard to the relationship between colour variables and soil properties, the analysis detected that soil texture, organic carbon, iron oxide and aluminium concentration were the key factors that strongly correlate with soil colour variables at the studied area. Indicators that could be used to predict shallow slope failure were high value of L*(62), low values of c* (20) and h* (66), low concentration of iron (53 mg kg^?1) and aluminium oxide (37 mg kg^?1), low soil TOC (0.5%), low CEC (3.6 cmol/kg), slightly acidic soil pH (4.9), high amount of sand fraction (68%) and low amount of clay fraction (20%).     

Fostering collaboration between universities regarding regional sustainability initiatives – the University of Maribor

This paper presents the current position and role of the University of Maribor (UM) in linking stakeholders, in order to achieve sustainable regional development. A strategic approach is proposed for facilitating collaboration of the UM with regional development agencies, the local community and industry, based on collaborative learning and development. Furthermore, elements contributing to a successful learning partnership are identified together with the barriers. The results show that regional stakeholders (university, municipality, NGOs, and companies) are commonly engaged in a sustainable regional development, but their activities are not sufficiently linked. The strategic approach, and collaborative learning have led to many on-going SD projects within the University of Maribor. Room for improvement exists, regarding external university collaboration, especially in the fields of research, knowledge transfer, technological development, dissemination of information, education, and innovations.     

Determination of primary and secondary sources of organic acids and carbonaceous aerosols using stable carbon isotopes

Stable carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C) data can provide important information regarding the sources and the processing of atmospheric organic carbon species. Formic, acetic and oxalic acid were collected from Zurich city in August–September 2002 and March 2003 in the gas and aerosol phase, and the corresponding δ¹³C analysis was performed using a wet oxidation method followed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. In August, the δ¹³C values of gas phase formic acid showed a significant correlation with ozone (coefficient of determination (r²) = 0.63) due to the kinetic isotope effect (KIE). This indicates the presence of secondary sources (i.e. production of organic acids in the atmosphere) in addition to direct emission. In March, both gaseous formic and acetic acid exhibited similar δ¹³C values and did not show any correlation with ozone, indicating a predominantly primary origin. Even though oxalic acid is mainly produced by secondary processes, the δ¹³C value of particulate oxalic acid was not depleted and did not show any correlation with ozone, which may be due to the enrichment of ¹³C during the gas - aerosol partitioning.The concentrations and δ¹³C values of the different aerosol fractions (water soluble organic carbon, water insoluble organic carbon, carbonate and black carbon) collected during the same period were also determined. Water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) contributed about 60% to the total carbon and was enriched in ¹³C compared to other fractions indicating a possible effect of gas - aerosol partitioning on δ¹³C of carbonaceous aerosols. The carbonate fraction in general was very low (3% of the total carbon).     

Development and growth in synanthropic species: plasticity and constraints

Urbanization poses serious extinction risks, yet some species thrive in urban environments. This may be due to a pronounced developmental plasticity in these taxa, since phenotypically, plastic organisms may better adjust to unpredictable urban food resources. We studied phenotypic plasticity in Nuctenea umbratica, a common European forest and urban vegetation spider. We subjected spiderlings to low (LF), medium (MF) and high (HF) food treatments and documented their growth and developmental trajectories into adulthood. Spiders from the three treatments had comparable numbers of instars and growth ratios, but differed in developmental periods. Longest developing LF spiders (♀?=?390, ♂?=?320 days) had the smallest adults, but MF (♀?=?300, ♂?=?240 days) and HF (♀?=?240, ♂?=?210 days) spiders reached comparable adult sizes through shorter development. While males and females had comparable instar numbers, females had longer development, higher growth ratios, adult sizes and mass; and while males adjusted their moulting to food availability, female moulting depended on specific mass, not food treatment. We discussed the patterns of Nuctenea sex-specific development and compared our results with published data on two other Holarctic urban colonizers (Larinioides sclopetarius, Zygiella x-notata) exhibiting high plasticity and fast generation turn-over. We conclude that despite relatively unconstrained developmental time in the laboratory enabling Nuctenea to achieve maximal mass and size—main female fitness proxies—their relatively fixed growth ratio and long generation turn-over may explain their lower success in urban environments.